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Lateral view of a Female Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeridae) (Hex) Mayfly Dun from the Namekagon River in Wisconsin
Hex Mayflies
Hexagenia limbata

The famous nocturnal Hex hatch of the Midwest (and a few other lucky locations) stirs to the surface mythically large brown trout that only touch streamers for the rest of the year.

Lateral view of a Male Callibaetis ferrugineus (Baetidae) (Speckled Dun) Mayfly Spinner from Mystery Creek #304 in Idaho
This is one of four specimens I photographed together from the same hatch, also including a nymph, a male dun, and a female dun. According to the key in Check (1982), the clear wing venation on the associated dun shows that it is either Callibaetis ferrugineous or Callibaetis pallidus, and the characteristics to tell the difference between those two are maddening for both the nymph and adult. If the partial shading in the wing is "medium to dark brown," and the dots on the body are "fuscous to dark brown," then it's ferrugineous. If the wing shading is "chestnut brown" and dots on the body are "yellowish to chestnut brown," then it's pallidus. However, several spare specimens I collected alongside the one in the photo have no markings on the wing at all, which would seemingly indicate ferrugineous according to the key. It's enough for a contingent ID, but I still wouldn't rule out pallidus.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
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Female Tricorythodes (Trico) Mayfly Spinner Pictures

This Trico spinner was recently deceased in the photographs.

Ventral view of a Female Tricorythodes (Leptohyphidae) (Trico) Mayfly Spinner from the Neversink River in New York
Female Tricorythodes (Leptohyphidae) (Trico) Mayfly Spinner from the Neversink River in New York
Lateral view of a Female Tricorythodes (Leptohyphidae) (Trico) Mayfly Spinner from the Neversink River in New York
Ruler view of a Female Tricorythodes (Leptohyphidae) (Trico) Mayfly Spinner from the Neversink River in New York The smallest ruler marks are 1 mm.

This mayfly was collected from the Neversink River in New York on September 5th, 2006 and added to Troutnut.com by Troutnut on October 3rd, 2006.


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Female Tricorythodes (Trico) Mayfly Spinner Pictures

Collection details
Location: Neversink River, New York
Date: September 5th, 2006
Added to site: October 3rd, 2006
Author: Troutnut
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